Black Friday Sale Alert

Black Friday

Just in time to finish up Christmas gifts in the process, or to start completely new projects, I'll be listing many different fat quarters on my eBay ID catsdontmeow for $1.25 each.

I'm happy to combine shipping, so grab whatever you can use (or must have for your fabric stash!).  All my fat quarters are 100% cotton, measure 18" X 22", and are calico or novelty fabrics from a variety of designers and manufacturers including Hoffman, Alexander Henry, Debbie Mumm, Fabri-Quilt, South Seas Imports, Heidi Grace, Fabric Traditions, Galaxy, Maywood Studios, and so many others.

Also, while you are surfing the web to find great craft deals and steals on Black Friday, check out the auctions on my eBay ID dream77catcher.  I've got some fun things planned with fabric, patterns and decals.

I hope you can join us for some good old fashioned cyber shopping!

As usually, Happy Crafting

Captive Illusions
&
Grandma Cat's Attic

Fat Quarter Window Valance

Fat Quarter Window Valance

Okay, so here's what prompted this project. I moved from California to Idaho this summer and am leasing a house with blinds. I hate blinds. But since I don't own the home and am only leasing it for a year or two, I don't want to spend money on covering the blinds. But I HATE blinds. So, I dug though my fabric stash and came up with some fat quarters that will work well with the very dark kitchen cabinets and the stark white walls and provide a bit of class (I hope) to the blinds. Did I mention that I hate blinds?

Here goes . . .

Measure the width of your window. My kitchen window measures 36” wide; however, I’m going to use a tension rod from cabinet to cabinet. The space between the cabinets measures 42”. For a nicely gathered valance multiply the width times 2.5 (42” X 2.5 equals 105” for mine). That's how wide you will want your finished valance to measure. For the Fat Quarter Window Valance the fat quarters will be used as the 22” being the width and the 18” as the height. Dividing 105” by 22” will tell me how many fat quarters are needed for my 42” wide area which is 5. I can use 6 for a fuller valance for 4 for one with less gathering. Since I have 3 fabrics I want to use, I’m going to use 6 fat quarters, 2 of each color.

If you want your valance to be longer than 17" you can turn the fat quarters and use the 18" as the width and the 22" as the height, if the design of the fabric will allow. Mine would not, but that's okay because I'm fine with the 17" length.


Step 1:

Verify that your design does not run along the selvage but across the 22” edge. Iron the fat quarters. I trim off the selvage more out of habit as a quilter than a necessity for the valances, however, if the edge of the selvage is white you will want to cut if off so that it doesn’t show up in the front of your finished valance. Trim the fat quarters to the same size. I’ve received fat quarters that measured anywhere from 17 ½” to 20” in one direction and 21 ½” to 23” in the other direction. It is important that all the fat quarters are the same size before you begin, but it does not matter what the actual dimensions are . . . as long as all fat quarters are the same size.

Step 2:

Fold a fat quarter in half with the printed side of the fabric together so that the18” edges meet. You should be looking at a two layer piece of fabric that measures 9" X 22". Sew a ¼” seam along the bottom on a 9" edge, cut the inner corner diagonally for ease of turning, turn the fabric, pulling out towards the sides to make a peak. Press. Do the same with the remaining fat quarters.

Step 3:

Decide the order in which you fat quarters will be sewn together. With the printed design together place one fat quarter on top of the other, aligning the peaks. Stitch from the upper edge to the beginning of the angle. Press seam open. Continue with remaining fat quarters in order.

Step 4:

Time to line the top portion of the valance. Each of the seams between my fat quarters measure 7 ½”. I’m going to add 1” to that and cut a strip of lining 8 ½” deep by the width of my valance which is 132”. Press ½” under on one long edge of your lining. Pin the lining to the top, sew a ½” seam allowance. Press open. Fold sides ½” in, insides facing, press, top stitch ¼” from edge. Fold top of lining towards inside making sure lining covers raw edges, press. Stitch close to edge of lining.

Step 5:

To sew in pockets to insert a curtain rod, you need know the type of rod you are using and whether or not you want a ruffle on top. My valance is going to use a tension rod which is ½” in diameter. I’m going with a top ruffle. Stitch across top edge 1 ½” from the edge across the valance. Stitch from one edge to the other across the valance 3 ½” from upper edge. You’ve now formed an upper ruffle and a pocket for a curtain rod up to 1” wide.

Step 6:

Your valance is ready to hang unless you would like to add embellishments. You can string beads from the peaks, sew on bows, pin on butterflies, whatever strikes your fancy. 

This week we would like to introduce Sarah and her ArtFire store: Joyfully sewn Designs. Sarah does her crafting is SW Missouri and sews the cutest little girly outfits. Read on to learn all about her.

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How and when did you become interested in sewing?

As I was growing up, my Grandma used to sew a lot of clothes for my sister, Mom, and I. Whenever we would visit her, I loved watching her work. Through the years she taught me the skills I would need to be a good seamstress. It wasn't until after I graduated from High School that I really did much serious sewing though. I started off with making an outfit for a special little friend of mine, and from there, I just took off. I discovered there was a need among the homeschool families in our area for someone to sew dresses, jumpers, and skirts for them and their daughters, and it was a need I delighted to fill.

Have you taken any courses or classes?

When I was about 12 or 13 the mom of my best friend did a sewing class for my friend and I and we did several sewing projects together. Other than that and the instructions I've received from my Grandma, I've just taught myself.

Anyone ever try to do an intervention due to your fabric stash?

No. :) My Mom is an organizer, so she helps me keep my fabric all nicely organized (all the scraps sorted by color and all the big pieces stored by how many yards each piece is).

Has the ‘going green’ movement impacted how you craft? If so, how?

No, I don't think it's affected my sewing much.

Ironing…you either love it or you hate it…which is it for you?

Ironing is a VERY important part of sewing if you want a professional look. I actually enjoy the ironing - it's so fun to see my project turn from a sloppy pile of fabric pieces sewn together to a crisp, neat looking bodice, sleeve, or dress.

Is there something that you do differently than other people in your craft?

Well, I don't know about all seamstresses, but I do know I pin more than many others I know. I'm also very picky about how things look. I want every item to look the very best I can make it

Have you ever hurt yourself sewing?

No, I don't think I have other than a few jabs with a pin here or there. :)

Do you enjoy any other crafts?

I like to scrapbook and I enjoy taking photos and making photo cards, calendars, and gifts online.

What does the future hold for you?

That's a good question, but I really don't know. My future is in the Lord's hands, and I'm content to leave it there. At the moment, I'm enjoying serving others through the skills that I have learned.

What advice would you give someone just learning to sew?

Be patient. Don't try to rush through a project. Take the time to make every part look as good as you can. And don't forget to iron when the pattern tells you too. Ironing or not ironing can make the difference between a sloppy finished project and one that has a professional look.

Anything else you'd like to share with our readers?

If any of you ARE learning to sew. I'd be more than happy to answer questions for you. :) I'm thinking about possibly starting a blog for that purpose. :)

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Sarah, thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us. If you do start up that blog you mentioned, I'll definitely link up to that.  

Be sure to check out Sarah on ArtFire and on Etsy. 


Until next time, Happy Crafting!
De'Anna

Ironing Board Cover

Ironing Board Cover

Okay, here's another one of those 'must do' projects. While I was making the fat quarter valance for my kitchen and taking pictures as I went along, I realized that my ironing board cover looked quite disgusting:

So I grabbed a piece of fabric that I had won from an eBay auction for about half of what it would have cost at the fabric store (including the shipping) and draped it over the ironing board for the pictures. Looked much nicer. Then I remembered why I bid on that particular piece of fabric in the first place...it was to make a cover for my crappy looking ironing board.

Since I've already pulled, packaged and shipped my eBay sales for the day (and instead of cleaning house, cooking or gardening), I think I will finally turn that fabric into an ironing board cover.


Step 1:
Clear all junk off ironing board.

My mother used to say that if you presented a flat surface to my dad, he would fill it up. Guess I take after Dad. When I took off the blue cover that looked so bad, I found a striped cover that was in bad shape as well.

Wow, all the original cover had under it was a very thin layer of yellow foam that was falling apart, had an 'off' smell, and felt creepy.

Wadded it up and threw it away. Took the string out of the casing of the old cover, ironed the cover flat to use as a template. Hmmm, found something interesting. Instead of sewing a casing along the edge of the cover like the blue cover, the edging has a wide overcast stitch with the tightening string within the stitching. I like this method as it seems like it would be quite easy to do. Read on to see if it worked for me.

Step 2:
Ironed the old cover and used it as a template by pinning the old cover on top of the new fabric. Cut out the new cover. My ironing board cover needed a piece of fabric 58" long by 17" wide.

Step 3:
I sewed a loose casting stitch around the edge of the cover with the tension string within the stitches (being careful not to sew through the string). I used the string from the old cover since it was still quite strong.

Alternate casings: Sew bias tape around the edge, or sew a hem all the way around, leaving an opening at the center back of the cover to pull and tie the string.


Step 4:
Before I actually secured the new cover to the ironing board I cut a piece of The Warm Company's Insul-Bright the size and shape of the ironing board, then put the cover on top of it. Since Insul-Bright reflects heat back to the source, it will make ironing quicker and give crisper seams.

This was the most fun I've had sewing in a long time. Probably because it was a quick and easy project (I'm always up for 'instant gratification'), or possibly because I learned a new technique (sewing the tension string inside the overcast stitch).

As usually, Happy Crafting from Cathy (and Trinity) at Captive Illusions!

Box Bottom Tote Bag Instructions

As cute as a nice flat tote may be, they just look that much better, and seem to fit your "stuff" nicer with a box bottom. These directions will work on most flat totes you buy, or you can make your own. There are 2 methods I've used for this, try them both and decide what works best for you. This is the bag I'm starting with.

I normally prefer a 2" cut for a box bottom, I just like that size, but adjusted that to 1 1/2" in these examples, due to a large pocket on the front. This will make about a 3" depth on the tote. Keep in mind that as you gain depth with your box bottom, you will lose that in height and width.

First Method: Turn your bag inside out. Lay your bag flat and measure out a 1 1/2" square on each corner (not including any seams), carefully cut out the square, your bag should look something like this.

Fold the cut ends together and stitch together using a 1/4" seam allowance, reinforce the seam to prevent fraying. Turn your bag right side out.

Second Method: Turn your bag inside out. Fold the bottom corners of your bag into a triangle. Make sure the side seam and bottom seam line up (or if there is no seam at th bottom, then the crease). Measure 1 1/2" in from the point (not including the seam), making sure your line is perpendicular to the seam, sew a line straight across.

Cut off the extra fabric, reinforce the seam. Turn right side out.

Now, slip in your notebook and latest craft project, and you're ready to sport your stylish new box bottom tote bag.

Until next time, Happy Crafting!

De'Anna

Meet the Accuquilt GO! Fabric cutter

AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter, Starter Set + 12 FREE Fat Quarters $349.99 MSRP. As our blog reader you are entitled to special pricing lower than the MSRP seen above. To see your special price, add the Accuquilt GO! to your cart and view it there.

Would you rather be quilting than cutting? If so, you need an AccuQuilt GO! This system is so cool. It is the greatest innovation in quilting since the longarm was invented. It's fast and oh so easy. Cuts multiple layers in seconds with accurate cuts every time.

It is fun and stress-free to sew together a quilt when all the pieces are cut to the same size and shape. Applique pieces have never been this easy!

This is quicker than scissors or rotary cutting by far...and a lot less dangerous! Even a novice or non-quilter will be thrilled to help cut out your quilt tops using this system...and you will have the confidence in quality cuts to let them!

For those of you that require portability this system folds up and weighs only 15 pounds. Perfect for carrying to class, conventions or to a quilting buddy's place.

Includes everything you need to get started right out of the box:

• AccuQuilt GO! Fabric Cutter
• Fabric Cutting Die featuring three shapes (4 1/2" Square, 2 1/2" Square, and 2" Finished Triangle (cuts 4 triangles at once)
• GO! 10"W x 10"H Cutting Mat
• Surprise selection of 12 FREE fat quarters from our 100% cotton fabric collection

Giveaway: Critter Die and Mat for AccuQuilt GO!

t's time for another Captive Illusions Give-Away!  

If you've got an AccuQuilt GO! 
here's your chance to win the

AccuQuilt Critter Die 55030, 
Cutting Mat 55112
and 16 Pizazz 100% Cotton Fat Quarters

No purchase necessary.  Win this and you'll be rolling out Butterflies, Dragonflies and Bumble Bees at a record pace.  Up to six layers of fabric can be cut at the same time.  The winner of this giveaway will not only receive the AccuQuilt GO! Critter Die 55030 and the AccuQuilt GO! 6" X 12" Mat needed to use the die, you will also win 16 different 18" X 22" fat quarters from the Pizazz collection of 100% cotton. fabric.  Perfect fabric to create your first sets of Butterflies, Dragonflies and Bumble Bees!


If you already have the Critter Die, we'll be happy to send any of the following dies instead:


 

If you don't have an AccuQuilt GO! . . . Why Not?!!!  The AccuQuilt GO! is the greatest thing since sliced bread.  You can cut up to 6 layers of 100% cotton fabric with each pass through the fabric cutter.   Each piece accurately cut, every time.   An entire quilt top can be cut in an hour or two. Check them out in our  eBay store.

 
Who can enter? Anyone in the whole wide world can enter. There is no cost to you at all. All you need is to have a valid email address in your blogger profile or post your email address in your entry in order to be notified if you win.

How do I enter? Only the First Entry is required to enter the contest. If you would like to earn additional chances to win, follow the instructions below. Please post separate comments for each entry in the MckLinky.  

FIRST ENTRY: This entry is mandatory before doing any of the Bonus entries  
Go to our eBay store and tell us which fabric you would be adorable as a Butterfly applique. - Be sure to put your entries in the MckLinky (click where it says "You're Next Click Here to Enter")

OPTIONAL BONUS ENTRIES:  Do one or all of these to earn additional entries.  
* Follow me on Twitter
* Tweet about this giveaway and leave the tweet link (only one tweet per giveaway)

* Subscribe to this blog  
* Leave a valid comment on one of our non-giveaway posts

* Blog about this giveaway with a linkback (be sure to comment with a link to the blog post)

* Add this blog's button to your blog (right column)

* eBay Scavenger Hunt: Go to our eBay store and find one each of the following:

1) A fabric with either a butterfly, dragonfly or bee on it

2) A AccuQuilt GO! die that you would love to own
3) An insect decal 
When you find the item click into it, locate the Item Number on the right side. Put all 3 item numbers in your post. HAVE FUN!
 

(All entries will be verified prior to the drawing.)
 

How do I win? This contest will run until Thursday, December 31, 2009, 11:59 pm Pacific. A random entry will be chosen using Random.org. We will announce the winner on this blog post and the winner will be contacted via email. The winner has 72 hours to claim their prize and send mailing information or a new winner will be chosen from the remaining entries. We hope you had fun. Come back often to see what else can be won.
 

THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK ! ! !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  
Want to enter more giveaways? 
Check out this Blog Hop of other great giveaways around Blog Land. 

Click here to see the entire Giveaway Blog Hop List....

Dress A Girl Around The World Campaign

A few weeks ago we posted instructions on how to make a pillowcase dress.  Here is my granddaughter wearing the first pillowcase dress I made.  Yesterday my daughter and Partner in Crafting, De'Anna, found out about a wonderful campaign of Hope 4 Women International entitled 'Dress A Girl Around The World'.

Originally two women from the United States delivered new or gently used pillowcases to women in Smile Africa Ministries and  taught the women how to make pillowcase dresses.  Sewing the dresses not only teaches the women to sew, but also clothes their children.

We would like to become involved in the campaign that asks you to 'Imagine a world where every little girl had at least one dress!  What if that dress where made by you?'  We would like to invite you along for the ride.  This Saturday my daughter, my sister, my granddaughter and I are going to spend the day making pillowcase dresses.  We'll take pictures and post them on Monday.

Next week we'll send out invitations to all of our family member for a Create a Dress Fest, where we will all work together to see how many dresses we can put together in a day.  Then we'll deliver fliers door to door in our neighborhood and see what happens on the day we set aside for Neighbors dressing Neighbors in Need. 


Please become a part of this with us.

There are so many ways you can help:

One Way To Help:  Take an hour or two and make just one pillowcase dress and send it to us.  We will add it to the ones we've made and add your name to the donation card when we forward all the dresses we make and collect to Hope 4 Women International.

Another Way To Help:  Send a new or gently used pillowcase to us and we will make a dress out of it.  I've read that a good place to find lots of gently used pillowcases is from the Goodwill or Salvation Army.

Another Way To Help:  Send any of the items needed to make a pillowcase dress from your supplies on hand...1 yard pieces of cotton fabric from your stash, 1/2" to 1" wide elastic, or thread.

Another Way To Help:  Purchase 1 yard of fabric from our eBay store and ask us to make a dress from it.  You will not be charged shipping, so don't pay the automated invoice.  We'll send a revised invoice without shipping charges.

Another Way To Help:  If you decide to do something with your church, family or sewing group for Hope 4 Women International because of something you read on our blog . . . please let us know.  And if you can, please send us pictures of your work.

Now I better give my sister a call and let her know that instead of recovering my dining room chairs this Saturday, we'll be working on the Dress A Girl Around The World pillowcase dresses!

Use our Pillowcase Dress Instructions or use How To Make a Pillow Case  Dress directly from Hope 4 Women International.

Project Update: Christmas Gifts

64 days until Christmas.  I should have been working on Christmas projects for months now, but life got in the way and I'm just beginning the process.  I've got 22 grandchildren, nieces and nephews on my Christmas gift list.  More than some of you, but less than others.  With the economy the way it is, I certainly can't afford to spend $20 on each child, let alone the $50 to $100 toys being advertised on television during the after school programs for kids.  Last year I made pillowcases out of fun fabrics and my daughter and son-in-law embroidered each with the child's name in wonderful fonts that matched the fabric.  This year I've decided to make Christmas Loot Bags for all the kids.  I've gone through all my fabrics and chosen 22 different Christmas fabrics and cut one yard pieces.  I've made an excel spreadsheet with a description of the fabric, the child's name and thread color and passed the information on to my daughter.  She'll embroider each child's name on a piece of 100% cotton white fabric measuring 5" X 8".  If she didn't have the time, I would have either embroidered the names  by hand, used fabric paint, or applique the names.

While De'Anna and David are embroidering the names I'll start sewing up the Christmas Loot Bags and creating a casing at the top to insert a drawstring.  When I get the name blocks back, I'll applique them onto each Loog Bag.  The Loot Bags will be wrapped and handed out as the first gift the children get on Christmas Eve so that they can put all the goodies they get from everyone inside.  Easy to carry home.  Hopefully, the kids will bring their loot bags to every Christmas Eve family get together.

Boutique Craft: Lined Window Valances

Valances are almost a One Size Fits All item- small windows end up with more gathers than large windows - making them a great boutique item.  Simple Lined Valances are quick and easy and can be stitched up by the dozen.  Fat Quarter Lined Valances with embellishments cost more and take a bit more time, but they bring in a much higher dollar at boutiques.  Use your imagination to make them unique, stunning and fun!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Our project is done in pink to show our appreciation for all the wonderful work done by the American Cancer Society towards finding a cure.  Please give your family the best gift possible for Christmas this year...a healthy you.  Take care of yourself by getting the dreaded yearly mammograms, eating right and living life to the fullest.  Visit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure website for more information on breast cancer, getting involved and donations to help.

Click here to view full project detials

Friday Humor: The Sewing Machine Song

Craft Tip: What is a Bodkin?

I used to attach a safety pin to a piece of elastic or ribbon to thread it through the casing of my project.  That is until I came across a Bodkin.

A Bodkin lets you thread elastic, ribbon and drawstrings quickly and easily without twisting. Simply clamp the bodkin over the elastic, slide the ring down to lock into place and thread through casing. The Ezy-Pull Bodkin (pictured to the left) has special teeth that grip securely and are held tight with a sliding ring.

This is so much better than using a safety pin.  No worrying that the safety pin might open while in the casing (had that happen several times over the years).  No worrying that you will pull so hard, the safety pin shreds right through the ribbon and you have to start over (yes, had that happen too).  No worrying that the safety pin will find an area where the casing was just a tad narrower than it should have been, and the safety pin simply refuses to squeeze threw (yup, did that a few times!).

Bodkin...odd name, but a great gadget to keep in your sewing box.

Boutique Craft: Pillowcase Dress

Pillowcase Dress

Pillowcase dresses are absolutely adorable.  But what if you don't have cool looking pillowcases to use?  Here's how to make your own pillowcase and then turn it into a stunning, stylish pillowcase dress.  Make up a couple of dozen for your next craft fair and see how fast you sell them.  You need 1 yard of fabric, a bit of bias tape, a bit of elastic, maybe some rick rack or other trim and some ribbon for the shoulder ties.  If you shop like I do (must be on sale!), you should be able to make pillowcase dresses for well under $10 and sell them for $20.  After making a couple and working out the kinks, you will probably be able to create 1 or 2 dresses in an hour.

Click here to view full project detials

Model:  Trinity Joyce Chapin Princess Ballerina Butterfly, 5 years old

Craft Tip: What is a Fat Quarter?

A Fat Quarter is the same amount of fabric as a traditional 1/4 yard cut of fabric except instead of measuring 9" X 44", a fat quarter measures 18" X 22". Many quilters find the wider width offers more versatility for cutting templates or strips than the traditional 9" width of 1/4 yard.

Traditional 1/4 yard (9" X 44")

A fat quarter is produced by first cutting 1/2 yard of fabric from the bolt, then cutting this in half crosswise (usually along the fold), yielding 2 fat quarters.

Fat Quarter (18" X 22")

Uses for fat quarters is limited only to the imagination of the crafter. Besides quilts, stash builders utilize their fat quarters in aprons, place mats, napkins, tea cozies, pin cushions, tote bags, doll clothes, pot holders, and so on and so forth. Post a comment and share you fun ideas for fat quarter stash busting.

My Christmas Projects

While my mom is working on Heather's quilt, I'm getting started on my Christmas projects. What you see here is the pile of materials waiting for me to start doing something with them. I know, I should have started everything a couple months ago, but that's just me. 

So, what you see here is fleece, cotton, velvetine, 4 patterns, buttons (for fun accents), some thread, my good scissors (you know, the ones that the hubby is NEVER allowed to touch), and my sewing machine. All stacked in a daunting pile on my sewing desk. The kind of pile that scares me right out of my craft room. 

But I have a plan. I'm going to stack it all under a table on the other side of the room, and only pull out the one piece I need to do one project at a time. Otherwise, I'll overwhelm myself and have 20 half finished projects come the day before Christmas Eve that I stay up all night trying desperately to finish, until I've realized I haven't gotten any sleep, I'm exhausted, I want to cry, and I still have to wrap it all. Well, at least that's what happened last year... But I digress. 

Now I'll decide what I'm going to start with, I have a long list of all the people I'm making something for (this year that is everyone). I think I'll start with some fleece work. There is a cute pattern (bottom right) that has a bunch of cute fleece hat patterns, stay tuned for the results of the first hat!

Happy Crafting 

De'Anna